t5oS 


Duke  University  Libraries 

Proceedings  of 
Conf  Pam  12mo  #508 


PROCEEDINGS 


Meeting  of  Bishops,  Clergymen,  and  Laymen, 


>vi 


fci 


tmma  wt&mu  i 


IN   THE 


CONFEDERATE    STATES, 


A.t  Montgomery,  A.la"banxa, 


On  the  3d,  4th,  5th,  &  Cth  of  July,  1801. 


MONTGOMERY  : 

BARRETT,  WIMBISU  ft  CO.,  STEAM  PRINTERS  AND  BINDERS, 
1861 


/ 


\ 


CIRCULAR  OF  THE 

Ht.  Rev.,  tlie  ZJisliops  ol   Louisiana  and  Georgia. 


UNIVERSITY  PLACE, 

Franklin  County,  Tf.nn., 

March  23d,  1861. 

fit.  fiev.  and  Dear  Brother  : 

The  rapid  march  of  events  and  the  change  which 
has  taken  place  in  our  civil  relations,  seem  to  us,  your  brethren  in 
the  church,  to  require  an  early  consultation  among  the  Dioceses  of 
the  Confederate  States,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  their  relations 
to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  the  United  States,  of  which 
they  have  so  long  been  the  equal  and  happy  members.  This  neces- 
sity docs  not  arise  out  of  any  dissension  which  has  occurred  within 
the  Church  itself,  nor  out  of  any  dissatisfaction  with  either  the  doc- 
trine or  discipline  of  the  Church.  We  rejoice  to  record  the  fact,  that 
we  are  to-day,  as  Churchmen,  as  truly  brethren  as  wc  have  ever 
been  ;  and  that  no  deed  has  been  done,  nor  word  uttered,  which 
leaves  a  single  wound  rankling  in  our  hearts.  We  are  still  one  in 
Faith,  in  purpose  and  in  Hope  ;  but  political  changes,  forced  upon 
us  by  a  stern  necessity,  have  occurred,  which  have  placed  our  Dio- 
ceses in  a  position  requiring  consultation  as  to.  our  ecclesiastical  rela- 
tions. It  is  better  that  those  relations  should  be  arranged  by  the 
common  consent  of  all  the  Dioceses  within  the  Confederate  States, 
than  by  the  independent  action  of  each  Diocese.  The  one  will  prob- 
ably lead  to  harmonious  action  ;  the  other  might  produce  inconven- 
ient diversity. 


We  propose  to  you,  therefore,   Rt.   Rev.  and  dear  Brother,  that 

you  rrcunmend  to   your   Diocesan  Convention,  the  appointment  of 

three  clerical  and  three  lay  deputies,  who  shall  he  delegates  to  meet 

an  equal  number  of  delegates  from  each  of  the  Dioceses  within  the 

Confederate  States,  at    Montgomery,  in  the  Diocese  of  Alabama,  on 

the  third  clay  of  July  next,  to  consult  upon  such  matters  as  may  have 

out  of  the  changes  in  our  civil  affairs. 

Wc-  have  taken  it  upon  ourselves   to  address  you  this  Circular  be- 

we  happen  to  be   together,  and   are  the  senior  Bishops  of  the 

Dioceses  within  the  Confederate  States. 

Very  truly  yours  in  Christian  bonds, 

LEONIDAS  POLK,  Bishop  of  Louisiana, 
STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  Bishop  of  Georgia. 


PROCEEDINGS. 


St.  Joiin's  Church,  Montgomery,  Ala.,  ) 
July  3d,  1861.  \ 

In  pursuance  of  the  foregoing-  call,  addressed,  on  the  23d  day 
of  March*,  18G1,  to  the  Ecclesiastical  Authority  of  each  of  the 
Dioceses  then  within  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  by 
the  Rt.  Rev.  Leonidas  Polk,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of 
Mana,  and  the  Rt.  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  D.  D.,  Bishop 
of  the  Diocese  of  Georgia,  a  number  of  Bishops  and  other  cler- 
n,  and  laymen,  having  assembled  in  St.  John's  Church, 
Montgomery,  in  the  State  and  Diocese  of  Alabama,  on  this,  the 
third  day  of  July,  1801,  on  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Francis 
HtfGER  Rutledge,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  the  Diocese  of  Florida, 
thi'  senior  Bishop  present  was  unanimously  requested  to  officiate 
as  President  of  the  Convention;  whereupon,  the  Rt.  Rev.  Ste- 
•  rin:x  Elliott,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Georgia,  took  the  chair,  and 
after  appropriate  prayers,  stated  the  purpose  of  the  meeting, 
and,  by  leave,  appointed  the  Rev.  John  M.  Mitchell,  of  the 
Diocese  of  Alabama,  secretary  pro  tern. 


The  secretary  then  called  the  names  of  the  Bishops  to  whom 
the  call  of  the  meeting  had  heen  addressed,  to-wit : 

Rt.  Rev.  Leonidas  Polk,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Louisiana. 
Rt.  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Georgia. 
Rt.  Rev.  W  Jr.  Mercer  Green,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Miss. 
Rt.  Rev.  Francis  Hugee  Rutledge,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Fla. 
Rt.  Rev.  Thos.  Frederick  Davis,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  S.  C. 
Rt.  Rev.  Alexander  Gregg,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Texas. 
And  the  following  answered  to  their  names : 
Rt.  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  D.  D., 
Rt.  Rev.  W.  M.  Green,  D.  D., 
Rt.  Rev.  F.  II.  Rutledge,  D.  D., 
Rt.  Rev.  T.  F.  Davis,  D.  D. 
Certificates  were  then  handed  to  the  secretary  attesting  the 
election,  by  their  Diocesan  Conventions  respectively,  of  the  fol- 
lowing clerical  and  lay  deputies': 
From   tlu:    jOiOQese   of    Alabama — 
Rev.  J.  M.  Banister, 
Rev.  J.  M.  Mitchell, 
Rev.  II.  N.  Pierce, 

Of  the  clergy. 
A.  W.  Ellerle,  Esq., 
lion.  Jxo.  D.  Phelax, 
Hon.  F.  S.  Lyon, 

Of  the  laity. 
Alternate  Deputies — 

Rev.  J.  H.  Ti< 'Knor, 
Rev.  F.  R.  IIaxsox, 
Rev.  J.  J.  Nicholson, 

Of  the, clergy. 
Chas.  T.  Pollard, 
W.  T.  Walthall, 
R.  S.  Bunker, 

Of  the  Laity. 
From  the  Diocese  of  Florida  : 

Rev.  J.  J.  Scott,  D.  D., 
KVv.  AY., J.  Ellis, 
K"V,  II.  II.  II ewit, 

Of  the  Clergy. 


G.  R.  Fairbanks,  Esq., 
John  Beard,  Esq., 
A.  Baldwin, 

Of  the  Laity. 

From  the  Diocese  of  Georgia  : 

Rev.  W.  C.  Williams, 
Rev.  W.  H.  Clarke, 
Rev.  Henry  K.  Rees, 

Of  the  Clergy. 

Geo.  A.  Gordon,  Esq., 
L.  N.  Whittle,  Esq., 
Hon.  A.  II.  CiiAPrELL, 

Of  the  Laity. 

From  the  Diocese  of  Mississippi : 

Rev.  F.  A.  P.  Barnard,  LL.  D., 
Rev.  W.  C.  Crane, 
Rev.  H.  Sansom,  3).  D., 

Of  the  Clergy. 

C.  C.  Shackelford, 
Hon.  Jacob  Thompson, 
John  Duncan, 

Of  the  Laity. 
Alternate  Dejiuties, — 

Rev.  Jas.  A.  Fox, 

Rev.  T.  S.  Savage,  M.  D., 

Rev.  B.  M.  Miller, 

Of  the  Clergy. 
T.  E.  B.  Pegues, 
W.  C.  Smedes, 
Jas.  S.  Johnston, 

Of  the  Laity. 
From  the  Diocese  of  South  Carolina : 
Rev.  Peter  J.  Shand, 
Rev.  C.  C.  Pinckney,  Jr., 
Rev.  Paul  Trapier, 

Of  the  Clergy. 


Hon.  R.  F.  W.  Axlsto>-, 
Edward  Mc  Ceeady,  Sk., 
Gen'l  W.  E.  Martin-, 

Of  the  Laity. 
From  the  Diocese  of  Texas  : 

Rev.  Bex.t.  Eaton, 
Rev.  Chas.  Gii.ette, 
Rev.  L.  II.  Jones, 

Of  the  Clergy. 
Hon.W.  P.  Gray, 
8.  M.  Swe.vson,  Esq., 
A.  M.  Lewis,  Esq., 
The  roll  being  called,  the  following  deputies  answered  to  their 
names  ;  of  the  Clergy  : 

Rev.  Messrs.    Banister,   Mitchell,  Pierce,    Scott,  Ellis,    Wil- 
liams, Rees,  Clarke,  Shand,  Laniard,  Crane. 
Of  the  Laity- 
Messrs.  Ellerbe,  Phelan,   Beard,  Whittle,  ChappeD,  Allston, 
Martin. 

The  Rev.  D.  Pise,  D.  D.,  then  handed  fee  the  Secretary  a  cer- 
tificate of  his  appointment,  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  Lishop  of  the  Dio- 
cese of  Tennessee,  as  a  clerical  deputy  to  this  Convention,  the 
State  of  Tennessee  having  seceded  from  the  United  States 
America  shice  the  publication  of  the  call  of  this  Convention  ; 
whereupon  the  Secretary  was  ordered  to  call  the  name  of  the 
said  clerical  deputy,  and  the  Rev.  D.  Pise,  D.  D.,  appeared  and 
took  his  seat  in  Convention. 

The  Rev.  Jno.  M.  Mitchell  was  then  nominated,  and  elected 
Secretary  of  the  Convention,  and  the  President  pronounced  the 
Convention  duly  organized  and  ready  for  basil 

Leave  being  granted,  the  Secretary  appointed  the  Rev.  W. 
C.  "Williams,  Assisstant  Secretary  of  the  Convention. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  the  Rt.  Rev.  President  ap- 
pointed the  Rev.  Messrs.  Clarke  and  Crane,  and  the  Hon.  Mr. 
Allston  a  Committee  to  prepare  Rules  of  Order  for  the  govern- 
ment of  the  Convention,  and  to  report  to-morrow  morning. 

On  motion  of  Bishop  Green,  the  Convention  adjourned  till  to- 
morrow, 10  o'clock,  A.  31. 


St.  John's  Church,  Montgomery,  Ala.        I 
10  o'clock,  A.M.,  July  4th,  1801.  j 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Morning  prayer  was  read  by  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Piuckney,  Jr.,  of 
S.  C,  and  the  Rev.  J.  J.  Scott,  D.  D.,  of  Florida.  On  the  call 
of  the  roll  the  following  deputies,  not  present  on  yesterday,  an- 
swered to  their  names :  The  Rev.  C.  C.  Pinckney,  Jr.,  of  the 
Diocese  of  South  Carolina,  and  the  Hon.  F.  S.  Lyon  of  the  Dio- 
cese of  Alabama.  The  minutes  of  the  last  meeting  were  read, 
and,  after  amendment,  were  adopted. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke,  presented  a  report  of  the  Committee  to 
prepare  Rules  of  Order  recommended  the  following,  which,  on 
motion,  were  adopted  as  the  Rules  of  Order  for  the  government 
of  this  Convention.     (See  Appendix  A.) 

On  motion  of  Bishop  Green, 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  of  three  Bishops,  three  Clergymen, 
and  three  Laymen  be  appointed  to  prepare,  and  present  to  this  Con* 
vention,  for  its  consideration,  such  subjects  as  may  properly  come 
within  the  purpose  for  which  this  Convention  has  assembled. 

The  President  appointed  on  said  Committee,  the  Rt.  Rev. 
Drs.  Green,  Rutledge  and  Davis;  the  Rev.  Drs.  Barnard  and 
Pise,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Banister;  and  Messrs.  Whittle,  Phelan, 
and  Martin. 

On  motion  of  Bishop  Green  the  Rt.  Rev.  President  was 
requested  to  act  with  this  committee. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Mr.  Pinckney, 

Rcsohed,  That  any  Clergymen  present,  who  are  not  deputies  to  this 
Convention,  be  invited  to  honorary  seats  in  the  Convention. 

The  invitation,  having  been  extended  to  them  by  the  Secre- 
tary, was  accepted  by  the  following  Clergymen,  to  wit: 
Rev.  John  Coleman,  D.  D.,  of  Missouri, 
Rev.  John  Binet,  of  Arkansas, 
Rev.  W.  M.  Bartley, 
Rev.  J.  A.  Shepperd,  Rev.  R.  H.  Cobds, 

Rev.  J.  S.  Jarratt,  Rev.  J.  F.  Smith, 

Rev.  A.  F.  Douu,  of  Alabama, 
Rev,  W.  H.  Harison,  of  Georgia. 


On  motion  of  Judge  Phelan,  an  additional  Rule  of  Order  was 
adopted  and  numbered  as  follows  : 

No.  17.  A  question  being  once  detennined,  shall  stand  as 
the  judgment  of  the  Convention,  and  shall  not  be  drawn  again 
into  debate  during  the  session,  unless  with  the  consent  of  two 
thirds  of  the  Convention  :  provided,  always,  that  any  member 
voting  in  favor  of  any  question,  may,  on  the  same  day  on  which 
the  vote  is  taken,  or  on  the  succeeding  day,  move  a  reconsider- 
ation of  said  vote. 

On  motion  of  Mr.  Beard,  the  Convention  took  a  recess  till  5 
o'clock,  P.  M. 


K VEXING    SESSION. 

Convention  resumed  its  session  at 5  o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Sansom,  D.  D.,  clerical  deputy,  and  John 
Duncan,  Esq.,  lay  deputy,  from  the  Diocese  of  Mississippi,  ap- 
peared and  took  seats  in  the  Convention. 

Bishop  Green  reported  that  the  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare business  for  the  Convention  had  made  progress  and  asked 
leave  to  sit  again. 

Leave  was  granted,  and  the  Convention  adjourned  till  9 
o'clock  to-morrow  morning. 


St.  John's  Chukcii,  ) 

Montgomery,  Ala.,  July  5,  1861.    \ 
Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M. 
Mqrning  prayer  was   read   by   the   Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Rutledge, 
Bishop  of  Florida,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sansom,  of  Mississippi. 

After  the  call  of  the  roll,  the   Secretary  read  a  certificate  at- 
testing the  election  of  the  following  Deputies  from  the  Diocese 
of  Louisiana : 
As  principals — 

Rev.  W.  T.  Leacock,  D.  D., 
Rev.  D.  S.  Lewis,  D.  D., 
Rev.  C.  S.  Hodges,  D.  D., 

Of  the  Clergy. 
Hon.  Geo.  S.  Guion, 
Hon.  Alex.  Montgomery, 
2 


10 

Mr.  J.  M.  Davidson, 

Of  the  Lnity. 
As  Alternates — 

Rev.  Ciias.  Goodrich,  D.  D., 
Rev.  John*  Fulton, 
Rev.  J.  B.  Lawson, 

Of  the  Clergy. 
Ex. -Gov.  Henry  Johnston, 
J.  P.  Davidson,  M.  D., 
J.  H.  Kennard, 

Of  the  Laity. 
The  following   appeared   and   took  seats  in  the  Convention  : 
Rev.  John  Fulton,  Hon.  Alex.  Montgomery,  and  J.  M.  David- 
son. 

The  minutes  of  yesterday's  proceedings  were  read  and  con- 
firmed. 

The  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Green,  in  behalf  of  the  Committee  to  pre- 
pare business  for  the  Convention,  presented  the  following  Re- 
port. 

The  Committee  to  which  was  referred  the  Resolution  of  the  Bish- 
op of  Mississippi,  begs  leave  to  report, 

That  after  a  careful  consideration  of  the  invitation  from  the  Bish- 
ops of  Louisiana  and  Georgia,  under  which  this  body  of  Bishops, 
Clergy,  and  Laity  is  assembled,  they  have  determined  to  submit  to 
this  Convention  the  single  question  of  the  necessity  and  expediency 
of  forming  an  Ecclesiastical  organization  among  the  Confederate 
States,  independent  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Uni- 
ted States,  and  to  suggest  the  mode  in  which  this  new  organization 
shall  be  created. 

The  Committee  were  of  opinion,  that  the  Dioceses  had  determined, 
each  for  itself,  the  effect  which  secession  had  produced  upon  its  Ec- 
clesiastical relations,  and  had  sent  its  delegates  here,  not  to  discuss 
or  affirm  that  question,  but  simply  to  recommend  the  wisest  course 
to  be  adopted  by  the  Dioceses  in  the  Confederate  States,  under  the 
novel  circumstances  in  which  they  find  themselves. 

The  Committee  has  been  unwilling,  under  the  circumstances  in 
which  this  Convention  is  assembled,  to  enter  upon  the  woi  k  of  re-or- 
ganization. The  rapid  march  of  events  has  added  four  Dioceses  to 
the  seven  which  were  originally  invited  to  convene  at  Montgomery, 
and  those  Dioceses  are,  with  a  single  exception,   without  representa- 


11 

tion  in  this  body.  The  Bishops  of  two  of  these  Dioceses  are  the  sen- 
ior Bishops  of  the  Confederate  States,  without  whose  counsel  and  ad- 
vice we  should  be  unwilling  to  engage  in  so  solemn  and  responsible  a 
duty.  While  this  Convention  is  a  very  full  and  able  body  of  dele- 
gates from  the  Dioceses  originally  invited  to  assemble,  the  Commit- 
tee is  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  highly  proper  to  include  in  our  ul- 
timate deliberations,  the  wisdom  and  experience  of  the  newly  sece- 
ded States,  and  to  take  our  final  position  with  the  unanimous  con- 
sent of  all  the  Dioceses  which  have  been  forced  into  a  separation  from 
the  Church  in  the  United  States. 

While,  for  these  reasons,  this  Committee  is  unwilling  to  recommend 
any  plan  of  re-organization,  it  has  deemed  it  quite  within  tke  scope 
of  the  authority  of  this  assembly  to  advise  the  Dioceses  of  the  Con- 
federate States  upon  certain  points  of  a  practical  character,  requiring 
immediate  attention.  The  most  important  of  these  is,  a  respect  fid 
recommendation  to  the  Dioceses  of  the  <  'onfe.h-r.it e  States  to  contin- 
ue in  force,  for  the  present,  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States,  so  far  as  applicable  to 
existing  circumstances.  The  adoption  of  this  recommendation  will 
prevent  any  diversity  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  Dioceses  of  the  Con- 
i'ed'iate.  States  ;  and  will  render  any  hasty  and  premature  legislation 
unnecessary. 

The  relations  of  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confederate  States  to  the  For- 
eign and  Domestic  Missionary  Society  of  the  Church  in  the  United 
States,  also  demands  our  immediate  attention.  All  postal  commu- 
nication having  ceased  between  the  United  StaUs  and  the  Confeder- 
ate States,  it  has  become  almost  impossible  to  remit  and  receive  mo- 
ney between  the  two  parts  of  the  country.  We  have  deemed  it  ad- 
visable, therefore,  to  recommend  to  this  Convention  the  adoption  of 
a  plan  by  which  all  difficulty  will  be  obviated,  and  no  stop  placed  to 
the  current  of  the  Church's  charity. 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confederate  States  to  take 
charge  at  once  of  all  the  Missionary  operations  within  its  borders, 
and  especially  to  shield  the  Missionary  Bishop  of  the  South  West, 
and  the  Bishop  of  Texas  from  all  embarrassments  in  the  pursuit  of 
their  P'piscopal  work.  The  Dioceses  of  the  Confederate  States  are 
quite  able  to  supply  every  thing  that  may  be  lacking  to  their  Breth- 
ren in  the  more  destitute  portions  of  the  Church's  operations. 

The  Committee  therefore  recommend  the  adoption  of  the  follow- 
ing resolutions : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  secession  of  the  States  of  Virginia,  North  Car- 
olina, South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louis- 
iana, Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Tennessee,   from  the  United  States,  and 


12 

the  formation  by  them  of  a  separate  Government,  called  the  Confed- 
erate States  of  America,  renders  it  necessary  and  expedient  that  the 
Dioceses  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  within  those  States, 
should  form  among  themselves  an  independent  organization. 

2.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Ecclesiastical  authorities  of  the 
Dioceses  within  such  States  as  are  now,  and  as  may  hereafter  become 
members  of  the  Confederal e  States,  to  recommend  to  their  Annual 
Conventions  next  ensuing,  the  appointment  of  four  clerical  and 
four  lay  deputies  from  each  Diocese,  who,  with  their  respective  Bish- 
ops, shall  meet  in  Convention,  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  on  the  first  Wednes- 
day in  June  1862,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  such  organization. 

3.  That  this  Convention  respectfully  recommends  to  the  Dioceses 
within  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  the  adoption  of  measures 
to  continue  in  force,  within  their  respective  limits,  until  some  more 
final  and  definite  action  can  be  taken,  the  Constitution  and  Canons 
of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
so  far  as  they  may  be  applicable  to  existing  circumstances. 

4.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity  of 
the  Confederate  States,  to  remit,  for  the  present,  their  contributions 
for  Domestic  Missions  to  J.  K.  Sass,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Bank  of 
Charleston,  S.  C,  who  shall  distribute,  pro  rata,  among  the  present 
missionaries  of  the  Domestic  Board  in  the  Confederate  States,  the 
amount  contributed  for  general  purposes,  and  send  to  their  destina- 
tion the  amounts  contributed  for  special  purposes. 

5.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confederate 
States  especially  to  sustain  the  Missions  in  the  South  Western  Mis- 
sionary District  and  in  Texas  and  Florida,  and  to  provide  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  Episcopate  in  the  jurisdictions  of  Texas  and  the  South 
West, 

6.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Laity  of 
the  Confederate  States,  to  remit  their  contributions  for  Foreign  Mis- 
sions to  Mr.  Henry  Trescott,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  who  shall  remit  the 
amount  to  our  Foreign  Missionaries.  All  contributors  to  Foreign 
Missions  are  requested  to  specify  the  Missions  to  which  they  desire 
their  contributions  to  be  sent. 

1.  That  J.  K.  Sass,  Esq.,  and  Mr.  Henry  Trescott  be  requested  to 
act  as  the  agents  of  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confederate  States,  for  the 
purposes  above  designated. 

9.  That  it  is  desirable  that  Printing  and  Publishing  Houses  should 
be  encouraged  in  the  Confederate  States,  for  the  supply  of  Bibles, 
Prayer  Books,  and  other  necessary  publications,  and  that  it  be  rec- 


13 

ommended  to  the  Church  to  promote  this  object  a*  far  as  posible. 

W.  M.  GREEN,  Chairman. 

The  Rev.  F.  A.  P.  Barnard,  LL.  D.,  from  the  same  Commit- 
tee, by  leave,  presented  the  following  as  a  minority  Report : 

The  undei'signed,  a  minority  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  pre- 
pare business  for  the  action  of  the  Convention,  believing  that  the  res- 
olutions reported  by  the  Committee  do  not  embrace  all  which  the 
interests  of  the  Church  require  of  this  Convention,  and  that  tiny  fall 
short  of  the  expectations  generally  entertained  of  it,  beg  leave  to  pre- 
sent their  views  as  follows  : 

It  is  believed  that  the  secession  from  the  American  Union  of  the 
States  now  forming  the  Southern  Confederacy,  has  left  the  Church  in 
those  States  without  any  general  organization.  This  opinion  is  set 
forth  in  the  first  of  the  Resolutions  of  the  Committee,  and  will  with- 
out question,  be  concurred  in  unanimously  by  the  Convention.  Tt  is 
admitted  that  the  state  of  things  requires  action.  The  Resolution 
reported  by  the  Committee  so  declares.  And  such  action,  it  is  be- 
lieved, that  the  Church  generally  in  these  Dioceses  expects  this  Con- 
vent inn  to  take. 

The  view  which  has  governed  the  course  of  the  Committee,  how- 
ever, seems  to  be,  that  the  functions  of  this  Convention  are  fulfilled, 
when  the  opinion  has  been  expressed,  that  action  is  necessary,  and  a 
recommendation  has  been  submitted  to  the  Dioceses  to  convene  an- 
other similar  body  at  a  future  day.  It  is  held  that  this  body  pos- 
8£SBe8  only  advisory  powers,  and  that  it  is  not,  therefore  competent 
to  the  formation  of  a  Constitution.  If  it  were  proposed  to  prepare  a 
Constitution  here,  and  to  attempt  to  make  such  an  instrument  bind- 
ing upon  the  Dioceses,  there  would  be  force  in  the  objection.  But.  as 
no  Constitution,  whether  formed  by  this  Convention  or  by  any  other, 
can  be  binding  upon  any  Diocese  until  after  it  shall  have  been  duly 
ratified  by  the  Convention  of  that  Diocese,  the  recommendation  of 
a  <  'oustitution  to  the  consideration  and  adoption  of  the.  several  Dio- 
oeBan  Conventions  appears  to  the  undersigned,  to  be  the  most  natu- 
ral and  most  desirable  measure  which  the  Convention,  considered 
only  in  the  capacity  of  an  advisory  body,  could  adopt. 

It  has  been  suggested,  that  at  a  future  Convention,  a  larger  num- 
ber of  Dioceses  might  be  represented:  and  that  those  which  have 
no  delegations  here,  might  feel  that  they  had  been  denied  an  impor- 
tant privilege  in  being  excluded  from  a  hearing  in  the  formation  of 
the  organic  law  by  which  they  are  to  be  governed.  If  it  were  possi- 
ble to  presume  that  any  large  departure  would  be  proposed  from  the 
form  of  the  instrument  under  which  the  Church  in  the  United  States 


14 


has  so  long  happily  flourished,  there  might  be  force  in  this  objection. 
But  the  Committee  have  shown  how  little  they  anticipated  anything 
like  this,  by  recommending  to  the  Dioceses  that  they  take  measures 
to  perpetuate  here  the  provisions  of  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of 
the  Church  in  the  United  States.  A  Constitution,  therefore,  prepar- 
ed for  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Confederate  State?, 
will,  without  question,  whenever  it  shall  be  formed,  and  by  whatever 
body,  embrace  substantially  the  features  of  the  Constitution  which 
has  so  long  been  found  entirely  acceptable  to  the  Churches  in  these 
Dioceses  ;  and  a  complaint  on  the  part  of  any  one  Diocese  that  its 
voice  had  not  been  heard  in  the  original  formation  of  the  instrument, 
is  the  least  probable  of  all  things. 

By  proposing  a  Constitution  to  the  Diocesan  Conventions,  this  Con- 
vention is  but  offering  its  advice.  This  advice  may  be  rejected  and 
a  course,  such  as  that  which  the  Resolutions  of  the  Committee  con- 
template, may  still  be  adopted  by  the  Dioceses.  The  proposition  of 
the  undersigned,  therefore,  can  do  no  possible  harm  ;  while,  in  case 
of  its  success,  it  may  very  materially  promote  the  interests  of  the 
Church  in  these  States,  by  accelerating  its  organization. 

If  it  could  be  made  to  appear  to  the  undersigned,  that  any  really 
substantial  advantage  could  accrue  from  a  delay  of  the  action  which 
they  propose,  they  would  be  the  first  to  acquiesce  in  such  delay.  If 
the  disadvantages  inseparable  from  the  unorganized  condition  into 
which,  by  causes  from  without,  the  Church  in  these  States  has  been 
thrown,  were  of  a  nature  to  be  cured  by  the  lapse  of  time,  they  would 
be  content .patiently  to  endure  them,  until  relief  should  spontane" 
ously  come.  But  it  is  manifest  that  time  can  only  aggravate  these 
evils  ;  while  the  remedy,  if  it  ever  come  at  all,  must  come  at  last  by 
means  precisely  such  as  are  here  proposed.  For  even  a  Convention 
specially  called  to  prepare  a  Constitution,  can  do  no  more  than  iinal- 
ly  to  refer  its  work  to  the  acceptance  or  rejection  of  the  several  Dio- 
ceses ;  which  is  all  that  the  proposition  of  the  undersigned  contem- 
plates in  regard  to  the  Convention. 

Entertaining  these  views,  the  undersigned  therefore,  propose  the 
following  Resolutions,  as  a  substitute  for  the  second  of  the  Resolu- 
tions reported  by  the  Committee. 

Jicsolced,  That  the  Dioceses  represented  in  this  Convention,  viz  : 
the  Dioceses  of  South  Carolina,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Georgia,  Flori- 
da, Louisiana  and  Tennessee,  be  formed  into  an  Ecclesiastical  organ- 
ization, to  be  entitled  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Con- 
federate States  of  America,  such  organization  to  be  complete  between 
the  Dioceses  ratifying  this  action,  when  such   ratification  shall  have 


15 


been  made  by  their  respective  Diocesan   Conventions,  and   on  their 
adoption  of  a  Constitution  for  their  government. 

Resolved,  That  any  Dioceses  now  within,  or  which  may  hereafter 
be  within  the  limits  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  and  which 
are  not  here  represented,  may  be  received  into  this  organization  on 
adopting  the  Constitution  and  applying  for  admission  to  the  General 
Convention. 

R, -solved,  That  a  Constitution  be  prepared  by  this  Convention,  as 
the  instrument  of  union  between  the  Dioceses  to  be  embraced  in  the 
organization  here  provided  for.  and  that  the  same  be  submitted  to 
the  several  Diocesan  Conventions  for  their  ratification. 

Evolved,  That  the  Ecclesiastical  Union  provided  for  under  the 
foregoing  Resolution,  remain  in  force  between  the  Dioceses  adopting 
the  Provisional  Constitution  as  recommended  by  the  Conrention, 
only  until  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Convention  of  the  Dio- 
ceses of  the  Confederate  States,  ami  the  adoption  by  them  of  a  per- 
manent Constitution. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted  by 

F.  A.  P.  BARNARD, 

DAVID  PISE, 

J.  M.  BANISTER, 

Minority  of  Commit l >    . 

The  Convention  then  proceeded  to  the  consideration  of  the 
Resolutions  contained  in  the  Report  of  the  Committee. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Crane,  the  first  Resolution  was 

unanimously  adopted,  to  wit: 

Resolifo'd,  That  the  secession  of  the  States  of  Virginia,  North  Caro- 
lina, South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisi- 
ana, Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Tennessee,  from  the  United  States,  and 
the  formation  by  them  of  a  new  Government,  called  the  Con  led' rate 
States  of  America,  renders  it  necessary  and  expedient  that  the  Dio- 
ceses within  those  States  should  form  among  themselves  an  indepen- 
dent organization. 

The  second  Resolution  being  under  consideration,  to  wiH  : 

Iccsohed,  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Ecclesiastical  authorities 
of  the  Dioceses  within  such  States  as  are  now,  and  as  may  hereafter 
become  members  of  the  Confederate  States,  to  recommend  to  their 
Annual  Conventions,  next  ensuing,  the  appointment  of  four  clerical 
and  four  lay  Deputies  from  each  Diocese,  who,  with  their  respective 
Bishops,  shall  meet  in  Convention  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  on  the  first 


16 

Wednesday  in  June,  18G2,  for  the  purpose  of  arranging  such  organi- 
zation ; — 

The  Rev.  Dr.  Barnard  moved  the  adoption  of  the  Resolutions 
contained  in  the  Minority  Report  as  a  substitute  therefor. 

The  motion  was  seconded,  and  pending  the  discussion  of  the 
same  the  Convention  took  a  recess  till  5  o'clock,  P.  M. 


EVENING    SESSION. 

Convention  resumed  its  session  at  5  o'clock,  P.  M. ;  and  after 
further  discussion  of  the  motion  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barnard,  on 
motion  of  Hon.  F.  S.  Lyon,  adjourned  till  to-morrow  9  o'clock, 
A.  M. 


St.  John's  Chukch,  ) 

Montgomery,  July  6,  1861.      J 

Convention  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Morning  prayer  was  read  by  the  Rt.  Rev.  the  Bishop  of  Mis- 
sissippi, and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Shand  of  S.  C. 

Present  as  on  yesterday  except  Mr.  Whittle. 

The  minutes  of  yesterday  were  read  and  approved. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Mr.  Williams,  leave  of  absence  was  gran- 
ted to  Mr.  Whittle,  of  Ga. 

Convention  resumed  the  consideration  of  the  motion  of  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Barnard. 

Rev.  Mr.  Mitchell  offered,  and  moved  the  adoption  of,  the  fol- 
lowing, as  a  substitute  for  the  Resolutions  of  the  Minority  Re- 
port, as  offered  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Barnard,  to  wit: 

Resolved,  That  as  preliminary  to  the  organization  declared  necessary 
in  the  foregoing  Resolution,  a  Committee  of  three  Bishops,  three 
Presbyters  and  three  Laymen,  be  appointed  by  the  Convention,  to 
prepare  and  report  to  an  adjourned  meeting  of  this  Convention,  to  be 
held  at  on  a  Constitu- 

tion and  Canons,  under  which  such  an  organization  may  be  effected  ; 
and  that  the  Ecclesiastical  authorities  of  all  the  Dioceses  within  the 
Confederate  States,  not  now  represented  in  this  Convention,  be  invi- 
ted by  the  Rt.  Rev.  President  of  the  Convention  to  take  the  requisite 


17 

steps  for  the  representation  of  such  Dioceses  at  the  adjourned  Con- 
vention. 

The  motion  was  seconded,  and  the  resolution  adopted,  as  a 
substitute  for  the  Resolutions  of  the  Minority  Report. 

The  same  was  then  adopted  as  a  substitute  for  the  second 
Resolution  of  the  Report  of  the  Committee. 

On  motion,  it  was  referred  to  the  four  Bishops  present,  to 
suggest  the  most  suitable  time  and  place  with  which  to  till  the 
blanks  left  in  the  Resolution. 

The  Bishops  recommended  "Columbia,  S.  C,  as  the  place," 
and  "the  third  Wednesday  in  October  Beit,"  as  the  time ;  both 
of  which   recommendations   were,  on  motion,  adopted. 

The  third  Resolution  of  the  Committee  then  coming  up  for 
consideration,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ellis,  of  Florida,  offered  the  follow- 
ing as  a  substitute,  to  wit  : 

Jicsolral,  As  the  sense  of  this  body,  that  the  Constitution  and  Can- 
ons, known  as  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  except  in  such  respects 
as  political  relations  make  them  inapplicable,  and  with  those  changes 
which  our  political  relations  make  proper,  is  now  the  law  of  the  Prot- 
estant Episcopal  Church  in  the  Confederate  States  of  America,  and 
should  continue  to  be  so  regarded  until  altered  or  amended  by  a  Gcn- 
errl  Convention  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  Confede- 
rate States  of  America,  and  that  the  Senior  Bishop  in  the  Confede- 
rate States  of  America  be  requested  at  once  to  enter  on  the  duties  of 
Presiding  Bishop. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fulton,  of  Louisiana,  the  Resolu- 
tion and  the  substitute  were  laid  on  the  table.  Ayes,  17 — 
Noes,  6. 

Convention  then  passed  the  fourth  Resolution  of  the  Commit- 
tee. 

The  fifth  Resolution   of  the  Committee  was  also  passed. 

The  sixth  Resolution  was  then  adopted. 

Convention  then  adopted  the  seventh  Resolution. 

At  this  stage  of  the  consideration  of  the  Resolutions  of  the 
Committee,  Rev.  Mr.  Crane,  by  leave,  introduced,  and  on  mo- 
tion, the  Convention  adopted  the  following,  to  wit : 

Resolved,  That  a  Committee  consisting  of  two  Bishops,  two  Pres- 
byters, and  two  Laymen,  be  appointed  to  draft  a  plan  for  carrying  on 


18 

the  Missionary  operations  of  the  rrotestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States,  to  be  submitted  to  the  adjourned  Convention,  to 
be  held  at  Columbia  on  the  10th  of  Oct.  next. 
The  Chair  appointed  as  the  Committee, 

Rt.  Rev.  Alexander  Cui:<;g,  D.  D.,  Bishop  of  Texas. 
Rt.  Rev.  II.  C.  Ley,  D.  D.,  Missionary  Bishop  of  the  South 
West. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Crane, 

Rev.  D.  Risk,  D.  D., 

Gen'l  W.  E.  Martin, 

John  Beard,  Esq., 
The  Convention  then  adopted  the  eighth  Resolution;  and  the 
whole  body  of  Resolutions  passed  by  the  Convention,  as  the  re- 
sult of  its  action  upon  the  Majority  and  Minority  Reports  of  the 
Committee,  is  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  1.  That  the  secession  of  the  States  of  Virginia,  North  Car- 
olina, South  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Louisi- 
ana, Texas,  Arkansas,  and  Tennessee,  from  the  United  States,  and 
the  formation  by  them  of  a  new  Government,  called  the  Confederate 
States  of  America,  renders  it  necessary  and  expedient  that  the  Dio- 
ceses within  those  States,  should  form  amoiig  themselves  an  indepen- 
dent organization. 

Resolved,  2.  That  as  preliminary  to  the  organization  declared  neces- 
sary in  the  foregoing  Resolution,  a  committee  of  three  Bishops,  three 
Presbyters,  and  three  Laymen,  be  appointed  by  the  Convention  to 
prepare  and  report  to  an  adjourned  meeting  of  this  Convention,  to 
be  held  at  Columbia,  S.  C,  on  the  third  Wednesday  in  October  next, 
a  Constitution  and  Canons,  under  which  such  an  organization  may  be 
effected ;  and  that  the  Ecclesiastical  authorities  of  all  the  Dioceses 
within  the  Confederate  States,  not  now  represented  in  this  Conven- 
tion, be  invited  by  the  Tit.  Rev.  President  of  the  Convention  to  take 
the  requisite  steps  for  the  representation  ol  such  Dioceses  at  the  ad- 
journed Convention. 

Resolved,  3.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Bishops,  Clergy,  and  La- 
ity, of  the  Confederate  States,  to  remit  for  the  present,  their  contri. 
butions  for  Domestic  Missions,  to  J.  K.  Sass,  Esq.,  President  of  the 
Bank  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  who  shall  distribute,  pro  rata,  among  the 
present  Missionaries  of  the  Domestic  Board,  in  the  Confederate 
States,  the  amount  contributed  for  general  purposes,  and  send  to 
their  destination  the  amounts  contributed  for  special  purposes. 
Resolved,  4.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confede- 


19 

rate  State*,  especially  to  sustain  the  mission?  in  the  South  Western 
Missionary  District,  and  in  Texas  ami  Florida  :  and  to  provide  for 
the  support  of  the  Episcopate  in  the  jurisdictions  of  Texas  and  the 
South  West. 

Resolved,  5.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  Bishops,  Clergy  and  Lai 
ty.  of  tin'  Confederate  State-,  to  lvmit  their  contributions  for  Foreign 
Missions,  to  Mr.  Henry  Tr^sgott,  of  Charleston,  S.  C,  who  shall  re- 
mit tin'  amount  to  our  Foreign  Missionaries^  All  contributors  to  For- 
eign Missions  are  requested  to  specify  the  Missions  to  which  they  de- 
sire their  contributions  t.>  t>£  .sent. 

Resoktd,  C  That  .1.  K.  S;iss.  £sq.,  and  Mr.  Henry  Tresrott  be  reques- 
ted to  acl  as  the  agents  of  the  Dioceses  of  the  Confederal.-  States,  for 
the  purposes  above  designated. 

Mes'obed,  7.  That  a  Committee  consisting  of  two  Bishop-,  two  Fres- 
bvt'  r-.  and  two  Laymen  tte  appointed  to  draft  a  plan  for  carrying  on 
the  Missionary  operations  o£  tic  Piotestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the 
Confederate  States,  to  be  submitted  to  llie  adjourned  Convention,  to 
be  held  at  Columbia,  on  the  Kith  of  Oct.  next. 

B[  ^i,l re,/,  S.  That  it  is  desirable  that  1'rinting  and  Publishing  Houses 
should  be  encouraged  in  the  Con  led.  rate  States  for  the  supply  of  Fa- 
bles, Frayer  Books,  and  other  necessary  publications,  and  that   it  be 
i.a.nded  to  the  Church  to   prom,  te    this  object  as  far  as  pos- 
sible. 

On  motion,  the  Convention  then  voted  to  go  into  an  election 
of  the  Committee  to  prepare  a  Constitution  and  Canons. 

The  tit.  Rev.,  the  Bishop  of  South  Carolina,  asked  that  lie 
might  not  be  placed  on  the  Committee  because  of  physical  in- 
firmities. 

On  motion,  the  Convention  took  a  recess  for  half  an  hour. 

The  half  hour  having  expired,  the  Convention  resumed  its 
session,  and  proceeded  to  the  election  of  the  Committee  by  bal- 
lot. 

Tiie  Chair  appointed  Messrs.  Davidson,  Ellerbe  ami  Martin, 
as  tellers,  to  count  the  votes  for  the  Bishops  ;  Messrs.  Beard, 
Chapped,  ami  Duncan,  as  tellers,  to  count  the  votes  for  the  CI  er- 
ica, members;  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Dim-kney,  Banister,  and  Clarke, 
to  count  the  votes  for  the  Lay  members. 

The  tellers  having  made  their  reports  respectively,  the  Chair 
declared  the  following  duly  elected  to  constitute  the  Committee, 
to  wit  : 


20 

Rt.  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  I).  D.,  Bishop  of  Georgia, 
Rt.  Rev.  W.m.  Mi:i;ckr  Gimckx,  I).  1).,  Bisliop  of  Miss. 
Rt.  Rev.  Fraxcis  Hn;i:i:  FtutfLsaaB,  D,  D.,  Bishop  of  Fla. 

Rev.  F.  A.  P.  Bakxard,  LL.  D., 

Rev.  Paul  Trapier, 

Rev.  II.  N.  Pierce, 

Hon.  R.  F.  W.  Allston, 

A.  W.  Ellerbe,  Esq., 

Hon.  Geo.  S.  Guion. 

On  motion  of  the  Rt.  Rev.  Dr.  Green,  the  Convention  then 
passed  the  following  . 

Wiikkeas,  It  is  important  that  there  should  be  a  full  attendance  of 
each  Order  in  the  above  named  Committee, 

Resolved,  That  in  case  of  the  inability  of  any  member  to  attend  to 
the  duties  of  the  same,  the  Senior  Bishop  on  the  Committee,  be  au- 
thorized to  accept  his  resignation  and  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Mr.  Williams, 

Resolved,  That  three  thousand  copies  of  the  Journal  of  this  Con- 
vention be  published,  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary,  and  that 
the  Secretary  be  authorized  to  draw  on  the  different  Dioceses  for  the 
expenses  of  this  Convention,  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  Clergy 
in  each  Diocese. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  Mr.  Pierce, 

Resolved,  That  the  Rt.  Rev.,  the  Bishops  in  attendance  on  the  Con- 
vention, be  requested  to  issue  a  Pastoral  Letter,  urging  upon  the 
Clergy  and  Laity,  prompt  and  liberal  contributions  to  the  cause  of 
Missions  within  the  Confederate  States.' 

Resolved,  That  the  same  Committee  be  requested  to  correspond 
with  Bishop  Lay  and  Bishop  Gregg,  in  relation  to  the  Missionary  af- 
fairs of  their  Dioceses. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clarke, 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  Convention  are  hereby  tendered 
to  the  Rector  and  congregation  of  St.  John's  Church,  Montgomery, 
for  their  generous  hospitality. 

On  motion  of  Gen'l  Wm.  E.  Martin. 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  members  of  this  Convention  be 
returned  to  the  citizens  of  Montgomery,  for  the  generous  hospitality 
extended  to  us,  during  our  stay  among  them. 

On  motion  of  A.  W.  Ellerbe,  Esq., 


21 

Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Convention  be  tendered  to  the 
Rt.  Kev.,  the  Bishop  of  Georgia,  for  the  able,  dignified,  and  impartial 
manner  in  which  he  has  discharged  the  duties  of  President  of  the 
Convention,  and  also  to  the  Secretary  and  Assistant  Secretary,  for 
their  faithful  and  efficient  discharge  of  their  appropriate  duties. 

To  this  Resolution,  the  Rt.  Rev.  President  responded,  and  at 
the  request  of  the  Convention,  permitted  his  remarks  to  be  en- 
tered on  the  Journal,  as  follows  : 

In  returning  you  my  thanks,  Brethren  of  the  Convention,  for  the 
very  kind  and  cordial  manner  in  which  you  have  expressed  your  ap- 
junliation  of  my  course  as  your  Presiding  officer,  it  gives  me  pleasure 
to  say,  that  my  duty  was  made  quite  easy  by  the  courteous,  Christian, 
yet  earnest  manner,  in  which  the  work,  entrusted  you  by  your  respec- 
tive Conventions,  has  been  performed.  Our  number  has  not  been 
large,  but  every  Diocese  of  those  originally  invited,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Texas,  has  been  fully  represented,  by  the  ablest,  and  most 
experienced  of  its  Clergy  and  Laity.  That  Diocese  was  hindered,  by 
the  fortune  of  War,  from  partaking  in  our  Councils.  When  we  con- 
sider I  he  distance,  the  expense,  the  season  of  the  year,  and  above  all, 
the  uncertainty  which  was  made,  from  peculiar  circumstances,  to 
bane  around  the  meeting  of  the  Convention,  we  have  reason  to  con- 
gratulate ourselves  upon  the  very  large  proportion  of  those  appoint- 
ed to  this  meeting,  who  have  attended  here.  It  shows  an  earnest 
appreciation  of  the  necessity  of  this  Convention,  and  of  the  impor- 
tance of  the  principles  which  were  to  be  discussed  and  settled. 

I  cannot  but  thank  God  in  your  behalf  and  in  behalf  of  the  Church, 
for  the  complete  unanimity  which  has  accompanied  the  assertion  of 
the  necessity  and  expediency  of  an  independent  organization.  While 
we  have  differed  upon  some  details  of  time  and  place,  we  have  not 
differed  at  all  upon  this  point.  We  have,  with  one  voice  and  one 
heart,  agreed  that  the  Church  of  the  Confederate  States  must  be  as 
independent  as  the  Confederate  States  themselves.  We  have  desiied 
no  change  in  the  Faith  or  order  of  the  Church,  no  relaxation  of  its 
discipline,  no  alteration  in  its  Liturgy  ;  but  we  have  determined,  by 
the  help  and  grace  of  God,  to  advance  his  kingdom  among  us,  through 
Constitutional  and  Canonical  arrangements  of  our  own.  And  in  this 
unanimity  may  we  perceive  the  continued  favor  of  God  towards  us  as 
a  people.  He  has  been  with  us  from  the  beginning  of  our  civil  ]  xove- 
ments,  and  has  blessed  us,  both  in  State  and  Church,  with  an  unity 
of  feeling  and  of  purpose  that  is  most  extraordinary.  In  the  State 
and  in  the  Church,  we  have  moved  as  one  man,  and  no  voice  of  dis- 
content or  of  dissatisfaction  has  been  heard  among  us.     We  are  ready 


22 

to  bear  and  to  suffer  for  the  good  cause  we  have  in  hand,  but  never 
to  yield  nor  compromise.  "Not  unto  us,  0  Lord,  not  unto  us,  but 
unto  thy  name  be  the  glory,  for  thy  mercy  and  thy  truth's  - 

We  have  done,  Brethren  of  the  Convention,  enough  at  this  moot- 
ing, and  yet  not  too  much.  We  have  asserted  the  necessity  and  ex- 
pediency of  a  new  organization,  and  we  have  appointed  a  Committee 
to  prepare  the  Draft  of  a  Constitution  and  Canons  for  our  future  liov- 
ernmcnt :■  ;  but  we  have  referred  the  consideration  and  adoption  of 
those  details  to  an  adjourned  meeting,  to  be  held  during  the  coming 
Autumn.  And  in  this  have  we  done  wisely,  for  we  most  earnestly  de- 
sire to  have  with  us  the  wisdom,  the  experience,  and  the  piety  of 
those  great  Dioceses  whose  States  have  so  lately  declared  them- 
a  part  of  the  Southern  Confederacy.  We  have,  in  like  manner,  ar- 
ranged our  Missionary  work  temporarily,  doing  at  the  meeting  only 
what  was  essential,  and  leaving  future  arrangements  for  a  larger  and 
more  extended  representation, 

Before  we  separate,  let  me  impress  upon  you  your  duty  as  Chris- 
tians and  Churchmen,  during  the  conflict  which  is  upon  us.  Times 
of  excitement,  like  these,  are  times  of  great  temptation,  and  wo  must 
take  heed  lest  we  be  swept  away  from  our  principles  and  our  proper 
line  of  conduct.  We  shall  be  tempted  to  bitterness  of  feeling,  to  vi- 
rulence of  language,  to  impulsive  action,  to  conduct  unbecoming  the 
desciples  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jesus.  Let  us  strive,  while  we  ren- 
der faithfully  unto  Caesar  the  things  which  are  Cesar's,  to  render 
likewise  unto  God  the  things  which  are  God's.  We  are  all  warmly 
and  earnestly  united  upon  the  necessity  of  this  great  Constitutional 
movement,  and  we  need  no  hasty  and  immature  legislation  to  vindi- 
cate our  patriotism.  Let  us  preserve  that  soberness  and  conserva- 
tism which  have  always  distinguished  Churchmen  ;  and  'while  we  up- 
hold firmly  the  great  principles  upon  which  our  new  Government 
has  been  founded,  let  us  not  be  carried  off  into  unchristian  conduct 
and  feeling.  Besides  the  country,  we  have  the  ('hurch  to  preserve, 
and  we  must  see  to  it  that  she  comes  out  of  this  convulsion  unspot- 
ted and  unstained.  May  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God  rest  upon  us,  and 
guide  us  into  all  truth. 

And  now,  my  beloved  Brethren,  commending  you  to  the  protec- 
tion of  Almighty  God,  and  wishing  you  a  safe  return  to  your  homes 
and  Parishes,  I  reiterate  my  thanks  for  your  very  cordial  recognition 
of  my  services  as  the  Presiding  officer  of  this  body. 


23 

After  the  singing  of  the  Gloria  in  Excelsis,  and  the  offering 
of  Prayers  by  the  President,  the  Convention  adjourned,  to  meet 
at  Columbia,  S.  C,  on  Wednesday,  Oct.  1G,  1801,  at  9  o'clock, 
A.  M. 

STEPHEN  ELLIOTT,  D.  D.,  President. 

Attest — «Txo.  M.  Mitchell,  See'y. 


JlL 

RULES  OB  ORDER: 

1.  The  Convention  shall  be  presided  over  by  the  Senior  Bishop 
peescnt ;  by  whom,  or  those  appointed  by  him,  its  daily  sittings  shall 
be  opened  at  9  o'clock,  with  the  order  cf  Morning  Prayer. 

2.  "When  the  President  takes  the  Chair,  no  member  shall  continue 
standing,  or  shall  afterwards  stand  up,  except  to  address  the  Chair. 

3.  No  member  shall  absent  himself  from  the  Service  of  the  Conven- 
tion, unless  he  have  leave,  or  be  unable,  to  attend. 

4.  When  any  member  is  about  to  speak  or  deliver  any  matter  to 
the  Convention,  he  shall,  with  due  respect,  address  himself  to  the 
President,  confining  himself  strictly  to  the  point  in  debate. 

5.  No  member  shall  speak  more  than  twice  in  the  same  debate, 
without  leave  of  the  Convention. 

C».  While  the  President  is  putting  any  question,  the  members  shall 
continue  in  their  seats,  and  shall  not  hold  any  private  discourse. 

7.  Every  member,  who  shall  be  in  the  Convention  when  any  ques- 
tion is  put,  shall,  on  division,  be  counted  unless  excused. 

8.  No  motion  shall  be  considered  as  before  the.  Convention,  unless 
seconded,  and,  when  required,  reduced  to  writing. 

9.  When  a  question  is  under  consideration,  no  motion  shall  be  re- 
ceived, unless  to  lay  it  upon  the  table,  to  postpone  it  to  a  certain 
time,  to  postpone  it  indefinitely,  to  commit  it,  to  amend  it,  or  to  di- 
vide it — and  motions  for  any  of  these  purposes  shall  have  precedence 
in  the  order  herein  named.  The  motions  to  lay  upon  the  table  and 
to  adjourn,  shall  be  decided  without  debate.  The  motion  to  adjourn 
shall  always  be  in  order. 

10.  All  Committees  shall  be  appointed  by  the  President,  unless  oth- 
erwise ordered. 

11.  When  the  Convention  is  about  to  rise,  every  member  shall  keep 
his  seat  until  the  President  leaves  his  chair. 

12.  The  Reports  of  all  Committees  shall  be  in  writing,  and  shall  be 
received,  of  course,  and  without  motion,  unless  re-committed  by  vote 
of  the  Convention.     All  Reports  recommending  or  requiring  any  ac- 


26 

tion  or  expression  of  opinion  by  the  Convention,  shall  be  accompan- 
ied by  a  resolution  for  the  action  of  the  Convention  thereon. 

13.  If  the  question  under  debate  contain  several  distinct  proposi- 
tions, the  same  shall  be  divided  at  the  request  of  any  member,  and  a 
vote  taken  separately,  except  that  a  motion  to  strike  out  and  insert, 
shall  be  indivisible. 

14.  All  questions  of  order  shall  be  decided  by  the  Chair,  without 
debate ;  but  any  member  may  appeal  from  such  decision  ;  and  on  such 
appeal  no  member  shall  speak  more  than  once,  without  express  leave 
of  the  Convention. 

15.  All  amendments  shall  be  considered  in  the  order  in  which  they 
are  moved.  When  a  proposed  amendment  is  under  consideration,  a 
motion  to  amend  the  same  may  be  made  ;  no  after  amendment  to 
such  second  amendment,  shall  be  in  order.  But  when  an  amendment 
to  an  amendment  is  under  consideration,  a  substitute  to  the  whole 
matter  maybe  received.  No  proposition  on  a  subject  different  from 
that  under  consideration,  shall  be  received  under  color  of  a  substi- 
tute.       ' 

16.  In  taking  the  question,  the  vote,  if  called  for  by  any  delegation, 
shall  be  by  Dioceses  and  Orders. 

17.  A  question  being  once  determined,  shall  stand  as  the  judg- 
ment of  the  Convention,  and  shall  not  be  drawn  again  into  debate 
during  the  session,  unless  with  the  consent  of  two-thirds  of  the  Con- 
vention ;  provided,  always,  that  any  member  of  the  Convention  vo- 
ting in  favor  of  any  question  may,  on  the  same  day,  on  which  the 
vote  is  taken,  or  on  the  succeeding  day,  move  the  reconsideration  of 
said  vote. 


27 

Letter  from  the  Rt.  Rev.,  the  Bishop,  and  Assistant  Bishop 
of  Virginia,  and  the  Bishop  of  North  Carolina. 

Richmond,  May  10,  1861. 
The  Rt.  Rev.  Tims.  F.  Davis,  P.  D., 
"     Rt,  Rev.  Stephen  Elliott,  I).  ])., 
"     Rt.  Rev.  F.  II.  Rutledge,  D.  D., 
"    Rt.  Rev.  W.  M.  Green,  D.  I)., 
"     Rt.  Rev.  Leoxidas  Polk,  D.  D., 
"    Rt.  Rev:  Alex.  Gregg,  I).  I).. 
lit.  Rev.  arid  Dear  Brethren  : 

We  observe  that  a  mooting  of  the  Bishops  and  of  Delegates  of  the 
Dioceses  within  the  Confederate  States,  has  been  appointed  to  be 
held  at  Montgomery  on  the  -3d  of  July  next,  in  order  to  consider  the 
present  relations,  and  the  proper  future  course  of  those  Dioceses. — 
The  results  of  that  meeting  will  be  likely  to  affect  the  position  and 
conduct  of  Dioceses  situated  as  ours  arc,  in  States  not  yet  in  union 
with  "the  Confederate  States,"  but  which  desire,  and  will  probably 
soon  accomplish  that  union.  In  this  state  of  things,  it  seems  to  us. 
(hat  the  welfare  of  our  Dioceses  will  be  better  secured,  and  the  unity 
and  prosperity  of  the  Church  in  all  the  Southern  States  advanced, 
by  having  as  general  a  representation  as  possible  of  the  Southern  Di- 
oceses at  that  meeting.  But  for  this  purpose  a  change  of  the  time 
and  place  of  the  meeting,  will  be  highly  expedient,  if  not  absolutely 
necessary.  We  therefore,  respectfully  and  affectionately,  beg  to  sug- 
gest to  you,  the  propriety  of  deferring  the  time  of  meeting  a  month 
or  two,  and  of  appointing  for  the  place,  Raleigh,  or  Ashville,  in  N.  C, 
or  Sewanee,  in  Tenn. 

We  remain,  very  truly, 

Your  friends  and  Brethren, 

WILLIAM  MEADE, 

J.  JOHNS, 

THOS.  ATKINSON. 


28 

Letter  from  Bishop  Meade,  received  after  the  Convention  had 
adjourned. 

Millwood,  June  20,  1861. 

To  the  Bishop>s,  Clergy,  and  Laity,  of  the  Protestant  Episco- 
pal? Church,  assembled  in  Montgomery,  Ala.,  the  ?>d  of 
July,  18.61. 

Dear  Brethren  and  Friends  : — In  the  Providence  of  God  I  am  pre- 
vented from  being  with  you,  for  the  purposes  mentioned  in  the  cir- 
cular of  the  Bishops  of  Louisiana,  and  Georgia.  The  season  of  the 
year,  and  the  locality,  were  considered  so  objectionable  to  Bishops 
Johns,  Atkinson  and  myself,  as  to  induce  us  to  address  a  letter  to 
some  of  the  Southern  Bishops,  proposing  a  later  period,  and  other 
place,  when  and  where  a  fuller  attendance  from  the  seceded  States 
might  be  expected.  A  letter,  just  received  from  Bishop  Elliott,  holds 
out  the  expectation  that  the  meeting  must  be  held  according  to  no. 
tice  given,  yet  that  it  will  adjourn  to  some  other  time  and  place.  It 
would  be  improper  in  me  to  attempt  to  reach  Montgomery  on  the  3d 
of  July,  and  I  am  sure  no  others  from  Virginia  will  be  there.  It 
would  require,  I  am  told,  three  days  and  nights  of  continuous  trav- 
elling from  Richmond,  to  make  the  journey,  and  that  is  altogether 
too  much  for  one  of  my  age  and  infirmities. 

I  am  also  now  in  the  midst  ot  scenes  and  duties  which  I  ought  not 
to  forsake  for  any  other.  The  contending  armies  are  all  around  me. 
and  in  daily  expectation  of  deadly  conflicts,  and  I  must  not  be  far 
distant  from  those  numerous  and  dear  relations,  friends,  fellow  citi- 
zens and  brethren  in  Christ,  who  may  suffer  and  die  on  the  battle 
fields. 

As  to  the  time  and  place  of  assembling,  your  body  will  doubtless 
make  a  proper  choice.  I  have  only  to  say,  that  if  the  fact  of  the 
civil  Government  being  located  in  Richmond,  and  our  Congress  be- 
ing appointed  to  meet  there— if  I  am  not  mistaken — should  render 
it  the  most  eligible  place,  it  will  be  most  agreeable  to  myself,  and  I 
doubt  not,  the  whole  Church  of  Virginia,  (as  well  as  the  inhabitants 
of  Richmond,)  that  you  should  adjourn  to  that  city. 

Praying  the  Divine  presence  and  blessing  on  your  consultation,  1 
remain  yours,  in  the  Lord. 

WILLIAM  MEADE, 
Bishop  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church  of  Virginia. 


Hollinger  Corp. 
PH8.5 


